Rye whiskey is a bold and spicy spirit made from a mash bill that contains at least 51% rye grain, giving it a distinctive peppery, dry, and sometimes herbal profile that stands out in cocktails and sipping. While rye whiskey has historic roots in early American distilling—especially in Pennsylvania and Maryland—its revival in recent decades has made it a staple in modern bars, especially in classics like the Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and Sazerac. The style is aged in new, charred American oak barrels, which add vanilla, caramel, and toasty notes to the underlying grain spice. Though closely related to bourbon, rye is typically less sweet and more assertive, making it favored by those who enjoy a more structured and dry spirit. Distilleries in the U.S. and Canada (where rules differ) offer a wide range of expressions, from youthful and fiery to old and complex, giving rye whiskey broad appeal among enthusiasts and professionals alike.